OMG! Artemis, if you decide you want to get rid of that machine (and it works), let me know. I bought one when I was still in HS & paid $18/mo. Mine had the cams for all the decorative stitches & I paid a whopping $300+ back then. I sewed on it practically every day. That is the best machine I've ever had. I could sew upholstery fabric without a problem. I burned up the foot pedal & decided to get a new machine. I wasn't pleased with it, but used it for a few years. One day I decided to have my Singer fixed. When I was sewing with it, my daughter came out of her room & said, "I remember that sound". After that, I had it fixed so many times that it couldn't be fixed anymore. I literally wore it out! I still have it tho. I saw on a website, but can't remember where, that people are actually collecting those machines. Those machines lasted so long & that's why Singer went to plastic machines so they would wear out. You'll love it. I had the buttonhole attachment that made wonderful buttonholes. I haven't been able to make a good buttonhole since then now that you have to zig zag for awhile & turn back, etc.

I doubt if this machine is all steel. I believe it's a model from the 1960s and the gears are probably made of a type of plastic that has softened over the years, hence the breakage.. I'm not sure if it can be repaired, but I heard somewhere that they can be replaced with metal gears. If you have someone in your area that repairs old sewing machines, I would recommend calling them and getting their opinion. Sadly, I lost a beautiful Singer model 621 that had the same problem, because there was no one in the area where I lived at the time who repaired sewing machines, and I wasn't sure if it could be repaired. If you want a good,solid Singer machine, look for a 1950s model or earlier. I now have a Singer model 301A that I love - all metal, steel gears, no belt and sews great. If you want to learn about vintage sewing machines, go to quiltingboard.com and visit the Vintage Sewing Machine forum - tons of info, and great advice on buying, repair, etc. I have learned a lot about vintage sewing machines there !

This has got to be one of the weirdest posts I've ever read! Why would anyone in their right mind, offer a good price for a machine that isn't running? Especially for the 700 series, since they're really not worth that much to begin with, expecially a broken one. They have plastic parts, which is most of the problem. I'd probably recommend to sell it for parts.

Does the machine sew? If it sews you have three choices a) take it to a shop for a tune up b) ask the people at www.singeronline.com their opinion they will recommend if you can fix it or c) purchase a bobbin winding machine and use it to wind the bobbins. Hope that helps.